Dave Bayliss: Barrow board keen to open manager contract talks

Barrow chairman Brian Keen has said contract talks with manager Dave Bayliss are a priority, now the club's status for next season is confirmed.

Despite relegation from the Blue Square Bet Premier, the board are keen to keep Bayliss at Holker Street in the hope of bouncing back at the first attempt.

"It's currently open to discussion, but Dave is positive, and we're positive.

"He's done a lot of work and now we've got to dot the i and cross the t," Keen told BBC Radio Cumbria.

"Subject to agreement, going into the new league, on costs and so forth, I'm certain he is the man who we need to stay with us to do the job."

However, 36-year-old Bayliss insisted he was still in the dark over his future.

"I've not had a phone call to go to meet the chairman over budgets, wages or training," he said.

"I want to get it done as soon as possible so I can see where I am going to be and sort out my future out, wherever I am."

The former Luton and Rochdale player arrived at the club in November 2006, and took over as joint-manager a year later.

Bayliss and Darren Sheridan led the club to promotion into the Conference Premier, a Wembley win in the FA Trophy and two FA Cup third-round appearances before Sheridan left the club in February last year.

Such success, and his efforts on a tight budget at Barrow have seen Bayliss being linked with recent vacancies at Rochdale, Stockport and now Southport.

"We hear all sorts of rumours about where he and players are going, and they're just rumours," Keen added. "Dave is a straight guy, and if there's any movement I'm the first he would ring."